Guest Ratings

Review Summary

Review Overall Rating

More of a Hobby than a Buisness

I was booked in for 18.00hrs but arrived ca 16.45hrs.
At the rear of the pub on the car park I noticed a not saying if you arived out of opening times please knock on the door of the house next door, Which I did no answer.
Also a telephone number to call tryed this as well got an answer machine with a small childs voice on it was a bit confusing to say the least.
Landlord playing cricket pub not open untill he returned.(20.00) And then drinks choise poor (No Bitter). Read more

Likes?
Was a bed for the night and that was all.
Would not have liked to stay for longer.
Dislikes?
The room had a damp smell about it.
A it got windy the windows and doors were criecking all night.
Woke up again at 03.45hrs and got dressed and went to the Airport. As sleep was not an option!

1

GrahamAloneStayed: Jul 15

Great Place to Stay

Would Recommend

Stayed here for one night on business. Made very welcome by Dave, the landlord, and had an excellent meal in the evening and huge breakfast in the morning. This is a very old pub and this is what appeals to me. Nice village location and excellent value for money. Will definitely use The Swan from now on if I am in the area. Read more

Likes?
Good contact from landlord when I emailed about arriving early. Nicely adapted rooms in an old building and the sense of history. Good wholesome food in the morning and great breakfast.
Dislikes?
What's not to like if you are looking for a traditional pub with solid home cooking and plenty of atmosphere. Good location in a pretty village. This suited me very well.

4

iiliasAloneStayed: Jun 15

Give your review a headline that summarises your stay in one sentence:

Would Recommend

Give your review a headline that summarises your stay in one sentence: Read more

Likes?
Give your review a headline that summarises your stay in one sentence:
Dislikes?
Give your review a headline that summarises your stay in one sentence:

5

SallyMature coupleStayed: Feb 15

Most excellent stay here

Would Recommend

We stayed over saturday night and walked a couple of miles in the morning to nearby Little easton gardens for Snowdrop Sunday - lovely. Read more

Likes?
We were warmly welcomed, our room was perfect and very warm - great as wind was howling outside. We sat by a log stove and ate delicious dinner. Superb breakfast. Especially home-made marmalade
Dislikes?
None

5

JeffAdult(s)Stayed: Dec 14

Great food in a lovely characterful inn

Likes?
The character of the building, the friendliness and efficiency of the staff and the excellent quality and value food. The cheesecake and the English breakfast were the best we've had in years.
Dislikes?
Only one real ale was available

4

MarkMature coupleStayed: Jul 14

Close to lacal family

Would Recommend

Stay here every year and the staff and breakfast are brilliant. Read more

Likes?
Staff and breakfast.
Dislikes?
no,all good

5

KatherineAdult(s)Stayed: Jul 14

Nearly lovely

Would Recommend

Myself and my husband stayed overnight with my brother and sister in law as a good 'half way' point between our 2 homes. Read more

Likes?
The pub is a great friendly place with good food and good service. The pool table was an added bonus too. Upstairs the rooms have lots of character, to include lots of beams and uneven walls and floor
Dislikes?
The noise! The pumps for the toilets, sinks and showers must be the loudest we have ever heard - often waking us up. The pub closed late without prior warning (approx 1am). Our room was above the bar!

4

MelvynAloneStayed: May 14

My stay at The Swan

Would Recommend

It was encouraging to have such a friendly welcome. Everything was perfect, and the hosts were were happy to help. Read more

Likes?
I was there to do work, so the accommodation was ideal for location.
Dislikes?
None

Balancing Act.

Would Recommend

2 nights in a double room with single occupancy. The room was small and quite cold. Although the bed was clean and comfy; the bathroom looked a bit neglected with a dead wasp in the bath, rough towels and half empty bottles of shower gel/hand wash left on the sink which had a dripping tap. The ascent to the rooms was rather dicey in wet weather, as it was a fire escape staircase. However the bar was cosy, complimentary shortbread delicious, and there was a great beer garden at the back. Read more

Likes?
Everything about breakfast was amazing. Food well cooked and locally sourced,
tea/coffee was never-ending and the chef/owner was friendly, relaxed and welcoming. I became fond of the sloping interio
Dislikes?
I thought my bathroom was neglected and for the money, it wouldn't have been impossible to clean it, fix the tap and offer nice towels/shower gel. The owner's wife seemed detached.

Excellent stay, very professional staff and high quality accommodation.

Would Recommend

This was a short break not far from our home. Easy to find with good parking at rear and surrounded by lovely countryside. We completed a circular walk via another public house, returning to the Swan and our accommodation. The staff were professional and attentive at all times. We had a very relaxing break and will definitely return in the near future. Read more

Likes?
A beautiful location, the staff made us feel welcome immediately. The room was first class, clean and even included port. The dinner and breakfast the next morning was excellent with a varied menu.
Dislikes?
I have no negative comments whatsoever.

5

SergeMature coupleStayed: Mar 14

practical if staying in village otherwise expensive for what you get

Would Recommend

We chose this B&B because it was next to the party we were attending. Room "Sunchaser". External entrance. Very old building so our bedroom floor was very slanted, in particular the bathroom, which may be a problem if you have walking issues, or even dangerous when going to the loo at night or if you drink too much... The ceiling is quite low. This is above a pub so it can get quite noisy. I understand all this is expected because it is an old pub however that makes it feel quite overpriced. Read more

Likes?
- location/village
- towels
- heating
- staff
- parking
Dislikes?
- couldn't use power sockets but staff helped
- for breakfast would be good to have green tea and fish option
- wished they provided hankies in the bedroom rather than cotton balls I see no use for

Excellent breakfast shame about the room.

Likes?
Breakfasts were excellent.
Dislikes?
The room we had was small. The furniture was very tired and the cleanliness of the bedroom needs to be improved. However the bathroom was clean.

2

KlausAloneStayed: Jul 13

lovely weekend

Would Recommend

The rooms are lovely, really clean and have everything you are likely to need and more - we devoured our short bread as soon as we entered the room and the port before bed!!

I ate dinner in the hotel and it was one of the best meals I have ever eaten. The breakfast the next morning was delicious - especially the english breakfast.
The owners, staff and family could not have done any more to make me feel welcome. Read more

Likes?
This is my fourth stay at the Swan Inn and, as usual, David and Karen have done a wonderful job in looking after all of their guests.
Food is extreemly good.David cooks a great full English breakfast
Dislikes?
none

5

EdYoung coupleStayed: Jun 13

Lovely local pub with great food

Would Recommend

The bedrooms at the swan have a separate entrance which is great as you can come and go independently. Our room looked like it had recently been refurbished and was lovely. Although not an enormous room it had everything you could need and we were provided with fresh milk on arrival so we could make tea and coffee in the room. The ensuite bathroom was a really good size with power shower and great towels....big and fluffy! Read more

Likes?
The bed was extremely comfortable, lovely quiet location but best of all was the friendly welcome and ongoing hospitality from the owners. Capped off by a delicious breakfast with local produce.
Dislikes?
None

5

MartinAloneStayed: May 13

Comfy, Quirky and Great food

Would Recommend

The Swan only has 4 rooms but the one I was in (Bold Forrester?) was comfy and slanting (due to the age of the building I guess). Old TV but worked fine. Nice shower/toilet. Only real problem was the room was hot with a feint wiff of diesel (?) and due to the fixed double glazing, I couldn't open the window.. it led to a stuffy night. The food (evening and breakfast) were excellent. Read more

Likes?
Great very old pub, pretty location, excellent food
Dislikes?
No ventilation in the bedroom I was in.

4

PeterMature coupleStayed: May 13

This is the place for good food

Enjoyed food but the accommodation not really suited to elderly. Read more

Likes?
Hosts and staff made us feel very welcome and attended to our every need
Dislikes?
Unsuitable for elderly persons. Steep, slippery steel fire escape type entry from outside to get to bedrooms.

3

JainMature coupleStayed: Oct 12

A lovely place to stay

Would Recommend

We were very happy with our stay at the Swan. A warm welcome, delicious food, a friendly atmosphere and comfortable rooms- wonderful! We would be happy to recommend the Swan to our friends. Read more

village setting near to parish church

Likes?
Good access roads even though village location
Dislikes?
room cramped with standard double bed and some low ceiling

4

RichardAloneStayed: Mar 12

Fantastic place to stay, great food & service

Would Recommend

Stayed for one night on business. This is my preferred hotel in the area - the rooms are interesting and both the food & service are fantastic. Read more

Response

Thank you for your lovely feedback. We're glad that we are your preferred hotel in the area. We look forward to seeing you again.David and Karen

Likes?
Everything was just right.
Dislikes?
Nothing - I will definitely stay there the next time I am visiting the region on business.

5

ElizabethMature coupleStayed: Mar 12

Very good for an overnight stay

Would Recommend

One night's accommodation to attend a family get together nearby. Read more

Response

We have taken immediate action on the comment about the bed, and now have beautifully memory-foam-topped matresses in the relevant rooms. Thank you for your feedback - constructive comments and viewpoints are invaluable when we strive to maintain the highest of standards. Best regardsKaren and David

Likes?
Convenient location
Dislikes?
Uncomfortable bed

4

KeithAloneStayed: Oct 11

Cosy friendly inn with a genuine olde world feel and excellent food - well worth a visit

Top quality guest house and restaurant service conveniently close to Stansted/M11

Response

Thank you for your very positive feedback. We have tackled the lock situation! David and Karen

Likes?
Breakfast and dinner top quality. Quiet despite it being a pub. Port and biscuits in room plus fresh milk for tea are signs of quality of this establishment. Good car parking. Comfortable clean room.
Dislikes?
None

Enjoyable

Response

We will look into the servicing of your room and take up the towel issue with the appropriate staff member. A soiled towel is not acceptable at all - thankyou for flagging this up to us. In respect of weekend breakfasts, we serve FROM 8.30 until 9.30. Again, I will take this up with the staff who would have been working on the evening you were with us. Thank you.

Likes?
Quiet and cosy. Excellent food.
Dislikes?
One of the bathroom towels was soiled from a previous user - and although it was a weekend, we were told (at dinner)that the latest breakfast we could have was 8.30am.

4

PhilipMature coupleStayed: Feb 11

Warm welcome, cold room

It was just very cold in the room, I'm afraid - radiator didn't seem to work, inadequate duvet, no electric heater, etc. A shame, as everything else was fine. Read more

Response

It's such a shame that Mr Howell didn't tell us about the room being cold at the time. There was an air blockage in the radiator which was immediately rectified when we 'bled' it, having read his disappointing review. This issue could so easily have been addressed at the time, and there would have been no need for him to feel disappointed with his stay with us. We do provide extra blankets in the wardrobes.

Likes?
Breakfast was good, and everything else seemed fine, including the value.
Dislikes?
The cold room!

The Swan at Great Easton Information

Facilities

Children's Facilities

Business Facilities

Internet connection (wireless)

Policies

Check in:
18:00
till 23:00

Early check-in available on request

Check out:
11:00

Child Policy:
No preference

Smoking Policy:
No smoking

Pets:
No pets

Description

The Swan at Great Easton is a delightful, privately owned Freehouse situated 3 miles north of Dunmow off the B184 towards Thaxted.
Dating from the fifteenth century The Swan retains a wealth of original features with a heavily oak-beamed lounge bar and large inglenook fireplace.
This friendly and welcoming village pub-restaurant is owned and run by David and Karen Scott who bought it in October 2002. Since then, they have transformed it, creating the comfortable environment you find today. In particular, there is the cosy lounge bar with a log-burning stove, deep, comfortable sofas and armchairs, as well as the welcoming beamed restaurant overlooking the pretty well-kept garden.
The Swan is now one of a dying breed: a privately owned Freehouse, actually run by its owners. You will find exceptional food and service in a relaxed and friendly environment
Their hard work and dedication to running this now widely well-reputed establishment has meant that David and Karen have taken The Swan into the prestigious CAMRA Good Beer Guide for the sixth year running and also the CAMRA Good Pub Food Guide.
David is the Chef and Karen works front of house - behind the bar and in the restaurant. In between times, they have a young family to manage – Ben is nine years old, and Beth is seven.